"Lovers and madmen have such seething brains, such shaping fantasies, that apprehend more than cool reason ever comprehends ”

Tag Archives: Mum blogger

Hey guys, first of all, I am sorry for being so inactive lately, I’d like to call the busy card but actually, I’ve just fallen victim to the lazy bug. With the dull weather, the cold and post Christmas come down, I’ve not been feeling too motivated. Can you blame me?

Back to it now, and to begin, I am back with a treat for you all. I’m going to share my recipe for cornflake crispies. A childhood classic and a favourite for any sweet tooth. I hope you enjoy and this inspires you to test out the recipe for yourselves.

It’s late Sunday afternoon, it’s snowy and dull out. With little to do around home and not wanting to venture out with our baby, we looked for some easy entertainment that we could participate in together and keep a beady eye on Eleanor too (who watched us faff around with such interest)

(My wee Easter bunny**)

The answer was an easy bake recipe to mark the coming Easter period. Cornflake chocolate crispies, both homely and nostalgic for this cold and wet day. Just the sugar fix needed to perk us up and brighten out spirits.

With the method so easy, we were certain there would be no risk of any kitchen drama, disagreement or even stabbing.. The recipe I have went with makes twelve crispies.

Ingredients:

100g cornflakes

100g chocolate (we opted for milk chocolate but you can choose what you please)

30g Raisins (optional extra)

Mini eggs to dress

50g butter

3 tbsp golden syrup

Cupcake cases

Method:

Melt the butter, chocolate and syrup in a saucepan on a low heat. Leave to cool.

Meanwhile, measure the cornflakes and raisins in a large mixing bowl and add to the chocolate mix. Mix well with a wooden spoon.

Lay out paper cases onto a muffin tray or any sort of baking tray variation. Spoon the crispie mix evenly into the paper cases.

At this stage we dressed with mini eggs but you can choose any sort of topping or none at all. Place in the fridge to cool until set.

I will be the first to admit that I’m very used to getting my own way and getting the things I want. A lifestyle that tough to maintain and keep track of online orders. Lately, with a whole new family life, a rather large wage cut and a whole lot to pay out for, (ahem, adult life) it has made me start to change my ways, my habits and begin to live as quite the minimalist. A change of tune you could say.

I was never privelaged by no means. However, growing up, I was always provided for and gifted treats and shopping days. Nothing lavish, but enough to keep a gal satisfied. I had a whole lot more than some but always wanted more. When I turned 16 and began to work, I made my own money and got used to having little ties, a monthly income and weekly treats.

My shopping habits increased from odd treats here and there to weekly packages from Topshop. I didn’t care, I had no concept of adult life, bills, the cost of living etc. I took much for granted and lived reckless. Nights out, consuming too much alcohol, shopping sprees, cigarettes. You name it.

I dread to think of what i could have saved had I been more aware of the daily cost to survive in this climate and been less greedy. It was all too easy and made for temporary bouts of happiness. There is nothing that a new pair of shoes can’t fix, right?

Wrong. Since moving from home and beginning my own chapter in life, I have come to realise that the shoes in my closet don’t Infact bring any element of happiness. If anything, they are a danger hazard as they collapse from the wardrobe on a daily basis.

I suppose what I am getting at, is that I now realise how foolish I was to have such ludicrous spending sprees. No material will find you happiness, something I have soon discovered. Happiness comes from the heart, feeling good and a sense of well being. I’m trying to be more grateful of what I have, than cry over what i don’t have. I still have the ability to buy treats but I don’t necessarily have a need for treats any more. A blue sky and a dose of fresh air can provide so much more thought provoking feelings than any material item may bring.

Treats are my family: My baby girl, my fiance. The life we build together surrounds me with hope and joy. Five years from now, I don’t know where we will be, I know we will have to work damned hard to get there and to live cautiously for some time in the process and I am OK with that…That is of course that I don’t fall victim to a shoe collapse and rot under a pile of black boots and Nike.

In all honesty, learning to be more frugal is a bit of a struggle. I am very used to having my own funds to spend freely. I have gone from daily shopping and trips to the store for some goodies to returning items to the shelf, making cuts where I can in weekly shops and letting online shopping baskets remain filled with items now “out of stock”

I miss the freedom of having no ties with money and having a lifestyle where I could get away with being a little lavish, treating others. Now, as a parent and a wife to be, there are more important parts of my life than shopping. Cutting past habits is tough and feeling the strain and the stress of money is tough.

Im working to find a better health and well being, a better balance and a stronger version of myself. So long as my baby is always provided for, my partner is happy, I shall be happy.

It is funny. Life really does change you when you become a parent. Everything is seem so differently. Worries grow, your mind works around the clock, you get by on a lack of sleep but most of all, your heart grows and you grow with it. My daughter has brought so much happiness and given so much purpose. I suddenly feel everything and every emotion.

I am most absolute in love, not just with Eleanor, but with Euan, with life. I am in love with our future plans,the idea of more babies, the thought of a new home, a new City. Life, there is so much on offer.

As a child, I would always wonder why my Mother would always treat my siblings and I but never dare splash out on herself, now that I am a Mother, my perspectives have changed and my motives of happiness differ, I can understand why my Mother never put herself first. She was a Mother and a child’s happiness is what brings happiness all around.